The Walpurgis Fechtbuch (Royal Armouries MS I.

33)1<C-Hand:> Non audet stygius pluto tentare, quod aude[t]1 Effrenis monachus, plenaque dolis anus. 'The devil of hell does not dare attempt that which the wanton monk dares, and the old woman full of wiles.' <A-Hand:> Notandum quod generaliter omnes dimicatores, sive omnes homines habentes gladium in manibus, etiam ignorantes artem dimicatoriam, vtuntur hijs septem custodijs, de quo habemus septem versus: Septem [cust]odie sunt sub brach incipiende; Humero dextrali datur alter, terna sinistro; Capiti da quartam, da dextro latere qui[nta]m; Pectori da sextam, postrema sit tibi l[angort.]2 It may be observed that in general all fencers, or all men holding a sword in hand, even if they are ignorant of the art of fencing, use these seven wards, concerning which we have seven verses: The seven wards should begin with Under-Arm; The Second is given to the right shoulder, the Third to the left; Give the Fourth to the head, give the Fifth to the right side; Give the Sixth to the breast; finally you should have Longpoint.

1MS 2MS.

damaged. damaged.

Notandum quod ars dimicatoria sic describitur: Dimicatio est diversarum plagarum ordinatio, & diuiditur in septem partes vt hic. Observe that the art of fencing is described thus: Fencing is the ordering of various blows, and it is divided into seven parts as here.

Nota quod totus nucleus artis dimicatorie consistit in illa vltima custodia, que nuncupatur langort; preterea omnes actus custodiarum siue gladij determinantur in ea, i. finem habent, & non in alijs; Vnde magis considera eam3 supradi[c]ta prima. Tres sunt que preeunt, relique tunc fugiunt; Hec septem partes ducuntur per generales; Oppositum clerus mediumque tenet lutegerus. Note that the entire heart of the art of fencing lies in this last ward, which is called Longpoint. Moreover, all actions of wards or of the sword end (that is, have their conclusion) in it, and not in others. Therefore study it more than the abovementioned First Ward. There are three which take the fore, the rest then flee; These seven parts are used by common fighters; The combat-waging cleric holds the opposite and the means.

3eam]

e apparently alt. from s.

+ Notandum hic continetur prima custodia, videlicet sub [brach]4, obsesseo vero halbschilt. Et consulosano consilio quod il[]5 sub brach non ducat aliquam plagam, quod probat de albersleiben, per raciones quia partem superiorem attingere non potest, si [?read: sed] inferiorem capiti erit perniciosum; sed obsessor intrando potest eum invadere quandocumque, si obmittit quod tenetur, vt infra scriptum est. Versus: Custodia prima retinet contraria bina: Contrarium primum halpschil, langortque secundum. Observe that here is represented the First Ward, namely Under-Arm, and its counterward, Half-Shield. And I advise with good counsel that he who adopts Under-Arm should not deliver any blow, which can be learnt from the Fools Guard, because he cannot reach his opponent's upper part, and to attack the lower part will be dangerous to his head; but the one who adopts the counterward can attack him with a thrust at any time if he fails to contain him, as is written below. Verse: The First Ward has two counters: The first counter is Half-Shield, and Longpoint the second.

Notandum quod [ille]6 qui iacet superius dirigit plagam post [c]apud7 sine schiltslach si est generalis. Si autem uis edoceri consilio sacerdotis, tunc religa & calca. When Half-Shield is adopted, fall under the sword and shield; If he is ordinary he will go for the head; you should use Thrust-Knock If he binds and steps, the counters for you should be a Shield-Knock. Note that he who lies above directs a blow toward the head without Shield-Knock if he is ordinary. But if you wish to be taught by the counsel of the Priest, then bind and step.

<The following paragraph by B-Hand: No guidelines have been made for it. The initial is also different in style> Nota quod prima custodia, videlicet sub brach, potest obsederi se ipsa, ita videlicet quod obsidens cum eadem custodia potest regentem primam custodiam obsidere; nichilominus tamen regens custodiam primam econtrario possessorem obsidere potest obsessione quadam que quodammodo concordat cum possessione que vocatur halpshilt; differt tamen in eo quod gladius sub brachio extenditur supra scutum, taliter quod manus regens scutum includitur in manu regente gladium. Note that the First Ward, namely Under-Arm, can be counterwarded by itself, that is the one who counterwards can counterward the one holding the First Ward with the same ward. The one holding First Ward on the other hand can counterward the one who is counterwarding him with a counterward that in a

Hole in ms. <.>ap.

7Capud]

way resembles the counterward called Half-Shield. However, it differs in that the sword is extended under the arm and over the shield, so that the hand holding the shield is enclosed in the hand holding the sword.

4Notandum quod scolaris religat hic & c[alcat]8 ad hoc ut recipiat schiltslac vt infra. Sed caueat de hiis que sunt facienda ex parte sacerdo[tis quia]9 post religationem sacerdos erit prior ad agendum. Notandum est etiam quod scolaris nichil habet aliud facere quam schiltslac, vel circumdare sinistra manu brachia sacerdotis, videlicet gladium & scutum. Versus: Hic religat, calcat scolaris; sit sibi schilslach, Siue sinistra manu circumdat brachia cleri. Sacerdos autem tria habet facere, videlicet mutare gladium vt fiat superior; Siue durchtreten; vel dextra10 manu comprehendere brachia scolaris, i. gladium & scutum. Hec tria sunt cleri: durchtrit, mutacio gladii, dextra siue manu poterit deprehendere gladium, schutum. Observe that the scholar here binds and steps so that he may get a Shield-Knock as below; but let him beware of those things which are to be done by the Priest, because after the bind the Priest should be first to act. Note also that the Scholar has nothing to do but Shield-Knock or to envelop with his left hand the arms of the Priest, that is the sword and shield. Verse: Here the Scholar binds and steps; he should execute Shield-Knock Or with the left hand let him envelop the arms of the cleric. The Priest, however, has three things to do, namely to change sword, as is done above, or to StepThrough, or with the right hand to grab the arms of the Scholar, that is the sword and shield. These three things the cleric can do: Stepping-Through, exchange of sword, Or with the right hand he can seize the sword and shield.

8Hole

in ms. A modern hand has written religat, hic, and calcat above these words; the original words are

so worn as to be almost illegible.

9Hole

in ms. sinistra crossed out, dextra inserted in margin.

10dextra]

Nota quod supradictum est invenies hic exempli gestum. Note that what is said above you will find here done by example.

+ Notandum quod prima custodia resumitur hic propter quosdam actus illius primi frusti, i. primecustodie, de quibus prius actum est; sed omnia que ponuntur hic invenies in primo folio vsque ad mutacionem gladii. Note that the First Ward is resumed here because of certain actions of the first part, i.e. of the First Ward, concerning which it is demonstrated above; but all those things which are put here you will find in the first page up to the exchange of the sword.

6Hic fit religacio ex parte scolaris & omnia alia de quibus superis [?read: superius] dictum est, vsque infra ad mutationem gladij. Here a bind is executed by the Scholar, and all the other things of which I spoke before, up to the change of sword below.

11

Hic eget scolaris bono consilio quomodo possit resiste[re]11 huic. Et est sciendum quod quando ludus ita se habet vt hic, tu[nc]12 debet duci stich, sicut generaliter in libro continetur, quamuis non sint ymagines de hoc. Notandum quod sacerdos mutat gladium hic, quia fuit inferior nunc vero erit superior; demum seorsum ducit gladium post capud aduersarij sui, quod nuncupatur nucken, de quo generatur separacio gladij et scuti scolaris. Vnde versus: Clerici sic nukcen; generales non nulli schutzen. Here the Scholar lacks good counsel how one can resist this. And you should know that when the play is in this state as here, then a thrust must be executed, as is generally contained in this book, although there are no pictures of it. Note that the Priest changes the sword here, because he was below before, but now he will be above; finally he directs his sword separately toward the head of his adversary, which is called Nodding, from which arises a separation of the sword and shield of the scholar. Whence the verse: 'The Cleric Nods; many ordinary fencers Cover.'

11Hole 12Hole

in ms. in ms.

12

7Caveat hic sacerdos ne faciat aliquam moram cum gladio, ne generatur ex illa mora actus quidam qui vocatur luctacio; sed statim debet reformare ligaturam propter cautionem. Let the Priest beware here not to make any delay with his sword, lest there should arise from that delay the action called grappling; but at once he must reestablish the bind for the sake of caution.

13

+ Hic resumitur prima custodia, cuius custodie obsessio erit valderara, quia nu[llu]s13 consweuit eamducere nisi sacerdos vel sui clientuli, i. discipuli; & nuncupatur illa obse[ssio]14 krucke; & consulo bona fide quod ille qui regit custodiam statim post obsessionem ligat, quia non est bonum latitare, vel aliquid talium faciat per quod possit salvari, vel saltim ducat id quod ipse possessor ducit. Here the First Ward is resumed; the counterward of this ward will be quite rare, because no-one uses it except the Priest or his young Clients, that is his Students, and this counterward is called the Crutch; and I advise in good faith that he who holds the ward binds at once after the counterward, because it is not good to hold back; or that he do any of those things by which he can be protected, or else that he at least does what the counterwarder himself did. <The following paragraph is written sideways in the margin:> Sciendum quod obsessor non debet h[esitare, sed?]15 ducat statim stich post obsess[ionem ;]16 tunc non potest adversarius delibe[rare quod]17 intendat; & hoc diligenter intell[igatur]18. You should know that the counterwarder should not delay here, but let him at once execute a thrust after the counterward; then his adversary cannot figure out what he intends; and this should be diligently understood.

13Hole 14Hole 15Hole 16Hole 17Hole 18Hole

in ms. in ms. in ms. in ms. in ms. in ms.

14

15

8Hic ligat sacerdos super obsessionem discipili, & inmediate veniunt omnia precedentia que prius habueras, licet alias duas ymagines non habueris que subsecuntur vbi recipit gladium & scutum. Nota quod quandocumque ligans & ligatus sunt in lite vt hic, tunc ligatus potest fugere quocumque vult si placet, & requiritur in omnibus ligaturis; sed de hoc debes esse munitus, vt vbicumque ligatus sis sequens eum. Ligans ligati contrarij sunt & irati; ligatus fugit ad partes laterum; peto sequi. Here the Priest binds over the Students counterward, and immediately all the preceding things follow which you had before, although you did not have the other two figures which follow where he seizes the sword and shield. Note that whenever the binder and bound are wrangling as here, then the one who is bound can flee wherever he will if he likes, and this is called for in all bindings; but concerning this you should be prepared, so that wherever the bound one is you should be following him. The one who binds and the one who is bound are contrary and irate; the one who is bound flees to the side; I seek to follow.

16

Hic docet sacerdos discipulum su[um quo]19 modo debet ex hiis superioribus recipere gladium & scutum; & sciendum quod sacerdos non potest absolui a tali deprehensione sine amissione gladij & scuti. Here the Priest teaches his student how, from these things above, he should seize the sword and shield; and you should know that the Priest cannot free himself from such a grip without the loss of sword and shield.

+ Hic resumitur prima custodia; sed omnia que requiruntur hic habes in eadem, excepta sola obmissioneligacionis quam scolaris obmittit. Here the First Ward is resumed, but all the things which are called for here you have in the same ward, except only the omission of the bind, which the Scholar omits.

18

10Hic obmisit scolaris quod non ligauit; prossus sacerdos intrauit; & non inmerito, quia vbicumque regens custodiam obmittit quod suum est facere, obsessor statim debet intrare vt hic. Here the Scholar failed to bind; the Priest at once attacked, and not unrightly, since wherever the one holding the ward omits what he ought to do, the counterwarder ought at once to enter, as here.

scholaris] alt. by B-hand, perhaps from sacerdos The meaning of hic has been changed by the previous correction; it should refer to the Priest.

20

12

+ Hic iterum resumitur prima custodia, videlicet sub brach, que obsedetur cum quodam contrario quoddicitur langort; & est22 generalis obsessio, cuius obssessionis23 contraria sunt ex parte regentis custodiam ligationes sub et supra; vnde versus 'Dum ducitur langort, statim liga sub quoque supra.' Sed superior ligacio semper vtilior erit quam inferior. Here again the First Ward is resumed, that is, Under-Arm, which is counterwarded with a counter called Longpoint, and it is a common counterward; the counters of this counterward on the part of the one holding the ward are binds below and above, whence the verse: 'When Longpoint is held, at once bind below and above.' But a bind above will always be more useful than below.

22est]

interlineated.

23Sic*.

21

13Hic erit ludus prioris custodie, scilicet ligantis & ligati, vnde versus: Ligans ligati contrarij sunt & irati; ligatus fugit ad partes laterum; peto sequi. Here will be the play of the previous ward, i.e. of the binder and the bound; whence the verse, The one who binds and the one who is bound are contrary and irate; the one who is bound flees to the side; I seek to follow.

<D-Hand> Johannes Herbart von Wirtzburck

22

14<A-Hand>

+ <This paragraph has been reinked>

Custodia prima [&]24 obsessio generalis vt supra; sed variatur ludus in fine frusci. The First Ward, and the common counterward as above; but the play is changed in the end of the section.

Superior Above

Inferior. Sed sacerdos ligauit, licet sit inferior. Below. But the priest bound, although he is below.

24&]

&&

23

15

Hic fit mutatio gladij inferioris. Here is executed a change of the sword that is below.

+ Notandum quod hic docetur qu[o]modo debeat secunda custodia obsedi; & dico secunda custodia, quiatertia custodia non multum differt a secunda, que habetur in humero sinistro25; sed hic loquimur de secunda custodia que datur humero dextro. Et de eadem custodia ob[sess]or26 ducit obsessionem, que vocatur schutzen, quare quelibet custodia tenet vnam proteccionem, i. schutzen.27 Note that here it is taught how the Second Ward should be counterwarded; and let me emphasize that the Third Ward does not differ much from the Second, which is held on the left shoulder; but here we speak of the Second Ward which is given to the right shoulder. And from the same ward the counterwarder should adopt the counterward, which is called Covering, because every ward has a protection, that is, a Covering.

25

26obsessor] 27Space

sinistro] d crossed out and replaced with sinistro obsessessor left for a verse at right of text?

26

Hic ponit se simili modo sacerdos ad scolarem et docet quid ex hijs fiat. & sciendum quod, salua doctrina sacerdotis, qui prius fuit obssessus28 potest tria facere. Primo, potest exprimere gladium deorsum & tunc durchtreten. Secundo, potest recipere29 plagam latere dextro. Tertio, potest recipere plagam latere sinistro. Nota quod hoc idem potest facere aduersarius licet ob[sess]or30 ad hoc prius sit paratus. Here the Priest positions himself similarly to the Student and teaches what should be done from these things. And you should know that according to the sure teaching of the priest, he who first was counterwarded can do three things. First, he can press the sword down and then Step-Through. Second, he can deliver a blow on the right side. Third, he can deliver a blow on the left side. Note that the adversary can do the same even though the counterwarder is the first one ready for it.

18Hic scolaris instructus mediante consilio sacerdotis ducit actum quemdam qui nuncupatur durchtrit; posset tamen recipisse plagam tam sinistram que ducitur ex parte dimicatorum generalium quam dexteram que consueuit duci ex parte sacerdotis & suorum iuuenium. Contrarium illarum duarum viarum erit sacerdotis euntis cum gladio sub brachio; qui tunc attingit manus nudas ducentis plagas supradictas. Licet contrarium istud non sit depictum in exemplum ymaginum. Here the Scholar according to the counsel of the Priest performs an action which is called SteppingThrough; he could however deliver a blow either on the left, which is executed on the part of common fencers, or on the right, which is generally executed by the Priest and his youths. The counter of these two ways is the Priest going with his sword under the arm; he then gets the bare hands of the one striking the aforesaid blows, however this counter is not depicted in the example of the figures.

28

Nota quod sacerdos def[e]ndit hic actum superius ductum, cum scolaris vero esset in actu itineris sacerdos religando atque subpremendo gladium scolaris ligatum demonstrat vt hic patet per exemplum. Preterea quid sacerdotem ex hijs facere contingat si diligenter inspexeris poteris edoceri, & cetera. Note that the Priest here prevents the action done above, because while the the Student is in the act of moving, the Priest gives instruction by binding, and pressing down the Students bound sword, as is shown here by example. Afterwards you can learn what the Priest should do from these things, if you consider diligently, etc.

29

19Hic vero, cum esset sacerdos in actu superius ligandi, informat scolarem quid sit faciendum aduersus hec, videlicet stichslac, quod generaliter ducere consueuit. Patet hic per exemplum. Here, however, while the Priest is in the action of binding above, he teaches the Scholar what is to be done against this, namely Thrust-Knock, which he is generally accustomed to use. Here it is shown by example.

sunt in eodem actu vt supra exemplo proximo. 'To the right shoulder is given the Second', i.e. Ward. And note that both the holder of the ward and its counterwarder are in the same action as above in the previous example.

30

20 Hic sacerdos obmisit omnes actus, tam ligandi quam religandi, & hoc in exemplum suorum scolarium, vt possint dischere quid sit faciendum, scolaris vero inuadendo eum; & ducit illum actum qui ponitur hic in exemplum.31 Here the Priest omits all actions both of binding and rebinding, and this as an example for his scholars, so that they may learn what is to be done, the Scholar, however, attacking him; and he executes that action which is here placed in example.

custodiam, videlicet sub brach. The same ward but another counterward, and this is the one called Half-Shield, touched on before against the First Ward, namely Under-Arm.

31Space 32

left for verse or additional commentary?

-us tacta] overwritten over erased alia vero continued from 1st line.

31

32

21 Nota quod multi generales dimicatores seducuntur ista obsessione hic posita, qui credunt fiere posse separacionem scuti & gladij, mediante plaga illa que ducitur hic, quod secus est, quare obsessor non facit moram aliquam per quam possit periclitari, sed illa hic ducta depicta est in exemplum omnibus volentibus vti consilio sacerdotis. Note that many common fencers are seduced by this counterward placed here; they believe that there can be made a separation of the shield and sword, with the blow that is executed here, which is not so, since the counterwarder does not make any delay through which he can be endangered, but that delay made here is depicted as an example for all those wishing to make use of the counsel of the Priest.

Hic vero cum sacerdos esset in actu ducendi plagam superiorem, docet scolarem vertere scutum & gladium, intrando cum gladio vt hic, quod is existens adversarius plagam ducere nequiuit ad effectum. Here, however, as the Priest is delivering the blow shown above, he teaches the Scholar to turn the shield and sword, attacking with the sword as shown here, which being the case, the adversary could not bring the blow to its conclusion.

ligacio, & dico ligacio quare sola superior & non alia, vt infra proximo exemplo. Here the Third Ward is adopted, which is counterwarded by the Scholar as here. The counter for this counterward will be a bind, and let me emphasize that it should only be a bind above and not otherwise, as below in the next example.

Hic ligat sacerdos, quod est melius & vtilius, quare si quid aliud faceret quominus gladius aduersarij occuparetur, in dampnum suum redundaret. Here the priest binds, which is better and more useful, since if he does anything else such that the sword of the adversary would be less occupied, it would turn to his own harm.

supra. The same Third Ward, namely on the left shoulder, and it is the same counterward as above, which is called Half-Shield.

37

26 Nota quod omnes actus custodie prime, videlicet sub brach, habuntur hic vsque ad proximum signum crucis. Note that here are all the actions of the First Ward, namely Under-Arm, up to the next mark of the cross.

dimicatores, et cuius obsessionis contraria sunt due ligaciones, quarum vna est in dexteris super gladium, reliqua vero in sinistris. Here the same Third Ward is resumed, the counterward of which will be Longpoint, which all common fencers use; and the counters for this counterward are two bindings, of which one is on the right above the sword, the other on the left.

39

28 Versus: Ligans ligati contrarij sunt & irati ligatus fugit ad partes laterum; peto sequi. Verse: The one who binds and the one who is bound are contrary and irate; The one who is flees sideways; I seek to follow.

+ Postquam determinatum est de tertia custodia, hic determinat de quarta, cuius obsessio erit halpschilt,que omnia prius habuisti invenies hic, vsque ad proximum signum crucis. After we have dealt with the Third Ward, here we deal with the Fourth, the counterward for which will be Half-Shield; you will find here everything you had before, up to the next mark of the cross.

40

29

+ Hic sacerdos resumit quartam custodiam, cuius custodie quarte erit obsessio custodia prima, & hoc inexemplum suorum scolarium, vt hic patet per exemplum. Here the Priest resumes the Fourth Ward; the counterward of this Fourth Ward will be the First Ward, and this as an example for his scholars, as is shown here.

Postquam scolaris superius obsedit sacerdotem, hic iterum ipse34 obsedit eum, & hoc sub brachium; & notandum quod omnia ista tanguntur in prima custodia, videlicet sub brachium, vsque ad proximam signum crucis. After the Scholar counterwards the Priest above, here the Priest himself counterwards him in return, and that Under-Arm, and note that all of these things are touched on in the First Ward, namely Under-Arm, up to the next mark of the cross.

34iterum

ipse] alt. by B-Hand from ?

modicum valens. & nota quod regens custodiam tria habet facere. Primo, potest ligare in dextris super gladium. Secundo, potest ligare in sinistris sub gladio. Tertio, potest comprehendere gladium manu, vt infra patet exemplo proximo. Here the First Ward is resumed, that is Under-Arm, the counterward of which will be Longpoint; and it is common and not very useful. And note that the one holding the ward has three things he can do. First, he can bind on the right above the sword. Second, he can bind on the left below the sword. Third, he can grab the sword with his hand, as is shown below in the next example.

44

32 Hic sacerdos deprehendit siue docet deprehendere gladium obsedentis; & nota quod gladius ipsius obsedentis non potest absolui nisi mediante schiltslac, vbi sacerdotis manus percutiet cum scuto, vt infra exemplo proximo. Here the Priest grasps or teaches how to grasp the sword of the counterwarder; and note that the sword of that counterwarder cannot be freed except through a Shield-Knock, where he strikes the hand of the Priest with his shield, as below in the next example.

Hic relevatur gladius scolaris mediante schiltslac; et caueat sacerdos ne scolaris ducet plagam capiti, siue fixuram generalem quam sacerdos consueuit docere discipulos suos. Preterea scias quod si scolaris dat plagam capiti, protectionem duc gladio connexoque scuto quod habetur in sinistra manu; & sic frangis scutum [?read: gladium] de manibus tui aduersarij vt patet infra proximo exemplo. Here the Scholar's sword is released by means of Shield-Knock; and let the Priest beware lest the Scholar deliver a blow to the head or the common thrust which the Priest is accustomed to teach his students. Moreover know that if the Scholar delivers a blow to the head, protect it with the sword and the shield together which are held in the left hand, and thus you will break the shield [?sword] from the hands of your adversary as is shown below in the next example.

45

33

+ Hic sacerdos ducit sextam custodiam, que datur pectori. & nota quod solum illa fixura est ducenda queducetur de quinta custodia, vsque ad proximum signum crucis. Here the Priest adopts the Sixth Ward, which is given to the breast; and note that only that thrust is to be delivered which is delivered from the Fifth Ward, up to the next mark of the cross.

<This paragraph by B-Hand:> Hic sacerdos de ista custodia sexta iam dicta ducit fixuram, que fixura eciam de quinta custodia est ducenda. Here the Priest from this aforesaid Sixth Ward delivers the thrust; this thrust is also to be delivered from the Fifth Ward.

46

34<This paragraph by B-Hand:> Hic scolaris per religacionem resistit & defendit sacerdoti illam fixuram superius in proximo exemplo per ipsum factam. Here the Scholar by binding resists and denies the Priest that thrust made by him above in the preceding example.

+ Postquam determinatum est de omnibus custodijs supradictis, hic determinat de septima custodia quenuncupatur langort; & notandum quod quatuor sunt ligaciones que respiciunt illam custodiam, videlicet due liguntur de dextra35 parte, relique vero due de sinistra parte; sed loquimur hic primo de36 ligatura s[cilicet] super gladium, quod habes totum in custodia prima vsque ad quartum exemplum vbi recipitur gladius & scutum. After all of the above wards have been dealt with, here the Seventh Ward is dealt with, which is called Longpoint. And note that there are four binds which pertain to this ward, that is two are bound from the right side, and the other two from the left side; but we speak here first of binding above the sword, all of which you have in the First Ward up to the fourth example where the sword and shield are seized.

37Svperius sacerdos deprehensus fuit per scolarem in modum luctationis, quod sacerdos hic defendit vt patet per exemplum. Above the Priest was grasped by the Scholar by way of grappling, which the Priest here prevents as is shown by example.

+ Hic resumitur iterum illa custodia vltima, que ducetur per scolarem. Contrarium vero ducet sacerdos, &est vna ligatura de illis quatuor ligaturis, videlicet subligacio in sinistra [?read: dextra] parte, vt hic patet per ymagines. Here the last ward is resumed again, which is adopted by the Scholar. The Priest executes the counter, and it is one of the four binds, namely an underbind on the left side, as is shown here by pictures.

51

38Postquam superius exemplo proximo subligatum est per sacerdotem, scolaris vero recipit capud sacerdotis, quia fuit superior gladius suus; & nota quod quandocunque subligatur, capud debet teneri in custodia ne percutiatur vt hic; vnde versus: Dum subligaueris caueas ne decipieris;/ Dum subligatur capud ligantis recipiatur. After the Scholar has been underbound by the Priest in the preceding example above, the Scholar gets the head of the Priest, because his sword was above; and note that wherever one underbinds, one must look out for the head lest it be hit as here. Whence the verse: 'When you underbind, beware lest you be deceived;/ When one underbinds, the head of the one who binds is hit.'

vero de hijs quatuor ligacionibus ducit vnam, videlicet super gladium, vt patet hic per exemplum. Here again is adopted the last ward which is called Longpoint, which in this case the Priest adopts, but the Scholar executes one of those four binds, namely above the sword, as is shown here by example.

Postquam superius ligatum est super gladium sacerdotis, vt supra visum est, Hic vero sacerdos defendit per illum actum qui vocatur sthich, vt patet hic. After there has previously been a bind over the Priest's sword, as is seen above, here however the Priest prevents it by that action which is called a thrust, as is shown here.

scolaribus in exemplum iubendo scolarem suum ducere illum actum, videlicet ponendo se ad eum, vt patet hic per exemplum. Note that here is another ward, namely high Longpoint, which is adopted here by the Priest as an example for his scholars, bidding his scholar perform that action, namely engaging him as is shown here by example.

Hic sacerdos religat, defendendo atque contradicendo scolari; & erit vna licagio de illis quatuor ligacionibus, videlicet super gladium in dextris, quod habes superius totum in alijs supradictis. Here the Priest rebinds, preventing and countering the Scholar, and it will be one of the four binds, namely above the sword on the right, all of which you have above in the other matters that have been discussed already.

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alia] ?Alt from istud.

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42 Postquam superius religatum est per sacerdotem, hic scolaris querit alias vias percutiendi sacerdotem. & notandum quod cum credit se sacerdos posse ligare, scolaris interim percutit brachia ipsius sacerdotis supradicti. Nota hic etiam quod non solum percutuntur brachia sed38 vis istius actus siue plage consistit in fixura que potest hic duci. After the Priest has previously executed his bind, here the Scholar seeks other ways of striking the Priest. And note that when the Priest thinks he can bind, the Scholar meanwhile strikes the Priest's arm. Note here also that not only are the arms hit, but the strength of this action or blow lies in the thrust which can here be made.

inserted above line.

contrariando sic ponendo se ad39 ipsum vt patet hic per ymagines. Here is adopted a common ward which is called Fiddlebow, which the Priest adopts, the Scholar meanwhile counters by thus engaging him as is shown in the pictures.

45 Ex illa ligatura sacerdos recipit schiltslac, vt supra sepius tactum est ex ligaturis supradictis. From this bind the Priest gets a Shield-Knock, as has often been touched upon above from the aforesaid binds.

+ Nota quod iterum hic resumitur vltima custodia, videlicet Langort. Circa quod notandum est quod illafixura ducetur hic mediante qua regens custodiam fingitur super ventrem siue penetratur gladio; & nota quod non est plus depictum de illo frusco quam ille due ymagines, quod fuit vicium pictoris. Note that here again the last ward is resumed, namely Longpoint. Concerning this you should note that here a thrust is executed, by means of which the one holding the ward receives a thrust in the belly or is penetrated by the sword; and note that no more is depicted of this section than these two figures, which was the fault of the artist.

Deinde scolaris obsedit eum vt supra quod est halpschilt; sed alia exempla subsecuntur vt patet infra. Here again the special ward of the Priest is resumed, which is called Longpoint, as has been seen above. Then the Scholar counterwards him as above, which is Half-Shield; but other examples follow as is shown below.

Hic sacerdos ponit se ad scolarem, vt sepius prius visum est. Here the Priest engages the Scholar, as has often been seen before.

[The Priest engages]

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49 Notandum quod scolaris ducit hic plagam generalem quam consueuerunt ducere omnes generales dimicatores ex supradictis proxime tactis, videlicet quando ligans & ligatus sunt in lite, tunc ligans qui est superior vadit post caput & obmittit schiltslac mediante quo subsequitur plaga; sacerdos vero intrat ut hic. Note that the Scholar here delivers the common blow that all common fencers are accustomed to deliver from the things immediately preceding, namely that when the one who binds and the one who has been bound are wrangling, then the one who binds, who is above, goes toward the head and omits the ShieldKnock, by means of which follows a blow; but the Priest attacks as here.

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+ Nota quod resumitur hic specificata custodia sacerdotis appellata Langort; sed est valde aliena obsessiohic depicta & valde rara; & sciendum quod omnia ista reducuntur ad custodiam primam et ad obsessionem que dicitur halpschilt, & cetera. Note that here is resumed the Priests special ward called Longpoint, but a very strange and very rare counterward is depicted here; and know that all of these can be reduced to the First Ward and to the counterward called Half-Shield, etc.

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50 Hic sacerdos ducit quandam fixuram prius tactam, quia scolaris, qui fuerat obsessor supra exemplo proximo, obmittit omnes suos actus, quia si religasset fuisset subportatus, vt patet infra exemplo proximo. Here the Priest delivers a thrust previously touched upon, because the Scholar, who was the counterwarder above in the previous example, omitted all his actions, since had he bound he would have been lifted up as is shown below in the next example.

Notandum quod ex ista fixura superius tacta per sacerdotem, erit hic quedam religacio facta per scolarem, quod oportet de necessitate si volumus quod defendatur fixura superius depicta. Note that from this aforementioned thrust by the Priest, here a bind will be executed by the Scholar, which must be done if we wish to prevent the thrust depicted above.

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51 Ligans ligati contrarij sunt & irati; ligatus fugit ad partes laterum; peto sequi. The one who binds and the one who is bound are contrary and irate; the one who is bound flees to the side; I seek to follow.

+ Hic tertia custodia obsessa est cum specificata custodia sacerdotis que nuncupatur langort. Et consulobona fide quod is qui regit tertiam custodiam non protrahat suos actus; alioquin is qui regit obsessionem sacerdotis intrat cum fixura quod est in communi vsu sacerdotis. Here the Third Ward is counterwarded with the special ward of the Priest, called Longpoint. And I advise in good faith that he who holds the Third Ward does not delay his actions; otherwise he who holds the Priest's counterward attacks with a thrust, which is in the common practice of the Priest.

econtra obsidere, aliquin scolaris intrat vt prius, & veniunt omnes actus quos prius habuisti. Here the Fourth Ward is resumed, which is counterwarded with the Priest's special ward. The Priest should counterward in response; otherwise the Scholar attacks as before and all the actions follow which you had before.

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Sacerdotis] rewritten or alt. by emending hand.

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+Hic iterum sumitur quinta custodia, que etiam obsessa est cum specificata custodia sacerdotis que diciturlangort, vt patet hic per exemplum. Here again the Fifth Ward is assumed, which is also counterwarded with the Priest's special ward, which is called Longpoint, as is shown here by example.

due facere. Primo, potest ducere fixuram; secundo, potest ducere plagam, diuidendo scutum & gladium. Here the Fifth Ward is counterwarded, the counterward of which is Half-Shield; and note that the one holding the ward has only two things to do. First, he can deliver a thrust; second, he can deliver a blow by dividing shield and sword.

Superius scolaris ob[sess]us42 est; hic vero recepit fixuram, vt patet per exemplum. Above the Scholar was counterwarded, but here he gets a thrust, as is shown by example.

41custodiam]I 42obsessus]

in margin by B-hand, insertion point indicated with a cross by B-Hand.

MS obsessessus

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55 Post fixuram superius ductam per scolarem, hic sacerdos defendendo schutzet & recipit plagam; hoc est generalis regula in arte sacerdotis. After the thrust made above by the Scholar, here the Priest, defending, Covers, and delivers a blow; this is a common rule in the art of the Priest.

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+ Hic iterum resumitur quinta custodia, cuius contrarium erit halpschilt, vt patet hic per exemplum.Nota quod quandocumque ducetur halpschilt contra illam quintam custodiam vel contra secundam custodiam, tunc semper timendum est de plaga ducenda ex parte regentis custodiam dividendo scutum & gladium cum plaga; vnde consulo quod quandocunque ducis illam obsess[ionem]43 videlicet halpschilt intres cum fixu[ra] sine misericordia. Here again the Fifth Ward is resumed, the contrary of which will he Half-Shield, as is shown here by example. Note that whenever Half-Shield is adopted against this Fifth Ward or against the Second Ward, then one must always beware of a blow being executed by the one holding the ward, dividing the shield and sword with a blow. Therefore I advise whenever you use this counterward, namely Half-Shield, that you enter with a thrust without mercy.

43The

lacunae in this sentence appear to have been cut off from the edge of the page.

+ Hic iterum resumitur quinta custodia, de qua superius dictum est sepius; & est notandum quod sacerdosobsedit scolarem obsessione quadam rara & valde bona in exemplum suorum discipulorum; & sciatur quod si scolaris ducet fixuram que duci consueuit de consuetudine, sacerdos debet etiam ducere fixuram contra fixuram scolaris, quia sua magis valet intrando cum sinistro pede; si autem intrare nequiuerit, cedat cum dextro pede, nichillominus non obmittatur quin etiam ispa fixura perficiatur. Si autem scolaris obsedit eum econtrario mediante halpscilt, sacerdos cadat sub gl[a]dio44 & scutum; & tunc superueniunt ea que prius visa sunt in custodia prima. Vnde versus: Dum ducitur halpscilt cade sub gladium quoque scutum. Here again the Fifth Ward is resumed, of which I have often spoken before; and note that the Priest counterwards the Scholar with a rare and very good counterward as an example for his students; and you should know that if the Scholar executes a thrust, which is generally executed by custom, the Priest should also execute a thrust against the Scholar's thrust, since his thrust works better, entering with the left foot; however if he cannot enter, let him fall back with the right foot; still, do not omit to carry out the thrust. However, if the Scholar counterwards him on the other hand with Half-Shield, the Priest should fall under his sword and shield, and then those things follow which have been seen before in the First Ward. Whence the verse: 'When Half-Shield is adopted, fall under sword and shield.'

+ Notandum quod hic resumitur quarta custodia, cuius quarte custodie obsessio est specificatum langcortsacerdotis. Videat autem obsessor ne regens custodiam ducet aliquam plagam, quia periculosum erit sic diu latitare. Vnde ducat primo schuzin, demum fixuram non obmittat. Note that here the Fourth Ward is resumed, the counterward of which is the Priest's special Longpoint. Let the counterwarder watch lest the one holding the ward deliver some blow, because it will be perilous to lie back this way for too long. Therefore he should first execute a Covering; at the end let him not omit a thrust.

Hic sacerdos econtrario obsedit scolarem, quod puto melius esse, quod potest ab aliquo edoceri, quia si hoc non fiet, scolaris ipsum invaderit cum fixura, quod nunc suus erit; sed ex hiis oritur ludus prime custodie, videlicet ligantis & ligati, quod patet infra in exemplo proximo. Here the Priest on the other hand counterwards the Scholar; I consider this to be better, which can be figured out by anyone; because if this is not done the Scholar will attack him with a thrust, which now he should do; but from this comes the play of the First Ward, namely of the one who binds and the one who is bound, which is shown below in the next example.

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60 Hic erunt ligaciones que superius tacte sunt sepius. Vnde versus ligans ligati contraria sunt & irati & cetera. Here will be the binds which are often mentioned above. Hence the verse: 'The one who binds and the one who is bound are contrary and irate' etc.

notandum quod quandocunque sic se habet ludus ut hic, tunc consulo tam regenti custodiam quam obsedenti eam ne quisquam eorum protrahendo obmittat quod suum est, videlicet ex parte regentis custodiam obsessio & ex parte obsidentis fixura. Here again the Fourth Ward is resumed; the counterward of this ward will be the Priest's special Longpoint; and note that whenever the play is in this state as here, then I advise both the one holding the ward and the one counterwarding him that neither one omits what he has to do by delaying, namely for the one holding the ward to counterward, and for the counterwarder to thrust.

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62 Superius dictum est tam47 de eo qui regit custodiam quam de eo qui eam pobssedit48; & quia prior erit scolaris, qui superius fuerat obsessessor, ducit quod suum est, videlicet primo schuzin ut hic, & infra exemplo proximo fixuram, quia sacerdos omnes suos actus obmittit. Vnde qui prior vadit prior erit ad faciendum dampnum suo aduersario. Above we have spoken both of him who holds the ward and of him who counterwards it; and because the Scholar, who was the counterwarder above, will be the first, he does what he should, namely first a Covering as here, and below in the next example a thrust, because the Priest omits all his actions. Thus he who moves first will be the first to inflict harm on his opponent.

47tam] 48b]

inserted above line.

inserted above line.

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Post quam determinatum est superius de actibus scolaris & de obmissione actuum sacerdotis, hic iterum sacerdos obmittit quod suum est, donec scolaris suam perducit adessentem intracionem ut patet hic. After we have previously covered the actions of the Scholar and the Priest's omission of actions, here again the Priest omits what he ought to do, and so the Scholar executes his present attack as is shown here.

custodia secunda sacerdotis, locata in humero dextro; & nota quod regentis custodiam statim erit schuzin, nulla mora interposita, alioquin ex parte aduersarij ducetur halpschilt, quod erit regenti custodiam valde perniciosum; & ex hiis generantur omnia que habuntur de prima custodia, de quibus habetur in primo quaterno. Note that here the First Ward is resumed, namely Under-Arm; the counterward of this is the Priest's special Second Ward, located on the right shoulder; and note that the one holding the ward must at once Cover without any delay intervening; otherwise his adversary will adopt Half-Shield, which will be very ruinous to the one holding the ward; and from these result all those things which are handled concerning the First Ward, which is handled in the first quire.

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Hic sacerdos qui regebat custodiam ducit schutzin, quod erit proptereo quia prior erit paratus; & est bene [?] consulendum quod obsidens statim ligat super gladium ipsius regentis custodiam quod hic obmittitur ut patet per exemplum. Here the Priest who held the ward adopts a Covering, which will be because he is the first one ready; and it is well to be advised that the counterwarder should at once bind over the sword of the one holding the ward, which is here omitted as is shown by example.

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64 Hic e[runt] ligaciones superius [?read: superiores] & inferiores que [?sepius] ducte sun[t] < ?Vnde> versus: Ligans ligati, & ce[tera]. Here are the bindings above and below which have often been executed before; whence the verse: 'The one who binds and the one who is bound, etc.

Ex hiis super[ioribus] allegacionibus Walpurgis49 recipit schiltslac, quia erat superior & prius parata. From the abovementioned bindings Walpurgis gets a Shield-Knock, because she was above and the first prepared.